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“There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 (NLT) The heart of this ministry is to inspire a love for God’s Word and encourage the discipline of daily Bible reading and SOAP journaling. These are a few of our SOAP notes from today’s reading. We encourage you to read and journal on your own first, then join us in conversation about what God revealed to YOU today. Click HERE to go directly to the daily reading if you wish.

It All Comes Down to Love | Kelley Deases

S~ Love the Lord your God with all your heart …Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on those two commandments. Matthew 22:37-40 (excerpted)

O~ As much as we can complicate things, the Christian life really boils down to these two things — love God and love other people. When we wonder if we should say or do something, we should ask whether it is motivated by love.

A~ I came home from work yesterday kind of worked up about an issue which has arisen in my workplace. I talked it over with my husband and was reassured that, in fact, I had handled the situation appropriately. I refrained from lashing out, walking out or saying anything at all in a moment when I felt threatened and a bit attacked. Instead, I calmly brought the issue to my supervisor, expressed my concern and essentially asked for her assistance in advocating for me.

As my husband and I talked, he reflected that on two recent occasions he’d had in group settings, he had “taken the bait” to speak out, had gotten defensive and had entered into the fray. In hindsight, he wished he had held his tongue so as not to have escalated emotions or caused further unrest or division.

P~ Father, Help me to be able to pause long enough before I speak or act to think: Is what I’m about to do or say reflecting love for God or love for others? If not, it probably need not be said or done.

To My Child | guest post

** I wrote this letter to one of my children, it’s really driven by the Spirit, wanted to share. These verses do not really align with the daily reading…..

Dear (child of mine),

I’ve been thinking about the power of just one. How change starts with one person. How that senior at your school decided to change the culture of sports to be inclusive and welcoming to the incoming freshman in just four years. Amazing!

I see something in your generation, your school, your class, your friends, and even in you. It’s your words and the way you use the words. I’m saying ‘yours’ as a general word. It’s not just you. The words I hear do not encourage or build each other up. I do think these words make you feel like you fit in for a moment, but I wonder if these words are more wounding in the long run?

Words have power! They can build something amazing, start a movement, initiate change in culture, or make someone’s day brighter. Or words can tear down and destroy. Wounds from hurtful words can last a lifetime, I have some deep scars from words that others have said to me.

I’m not that wise and can’t rely on my own judgement always, but I know God’s word is always true and I can anchor my life in His Word.

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. ~ James 1:26 (NLT)

Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” JESUS said this in Matthew 12: 36, 37 (MSG)

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what YOU SAY, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. ~ 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT), emphasis is mine

As I write down God’s Word about words, I am overcome with how my words have hurt you. I am so sorry that I used my words against you and have wounded you! This letter isn’t just for you, it’s for me too!

Please just think about your words, how you use your words, the tone you say your words and how your words can bring life or death. Thank you! I believe that change can start with just one – maybe you?

I love you! I’m cheering you on! I believe in you!

Love, Mom xoxoxo

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